And as Hodgson asked his squad to "change the dynamic" of his reign on Friday by securing the win that should ensure Part One of his mission is completed, the mood music was what it needed to be.

Not tub-thumping or arrogant. Not dismissive of the challenge. But realistic, determined, confident and supportive.

Hodgson knows that success over the next four days will only in turn ensure he gets his chance at the far bigger test to come.

Qualifying for Brazil, though, is essential for Hodgson and his squad to get the opportunity to graduate among the elite, to be part of football's Ivy League, or Oxbridge.

Not making it, the unspoken fear, is what must be conquered this evening, as much as a Montenegro side whose own approach is likely to be as cautious and inhibited as England have been too many times over the past 18 months.

To be fair to Hodgson, he recognises that, too. Understands and accepts the doubters are out there, that draws - and far from impressive draws at that - in Warsaw, Podgorica and Kiev make the questions relevant and justifiable.

"It's fair to say this is a chance to change that dynamic, that we haven't had a marquee result yet," conceded Hodgson, who appears likely to leave out Jack Wilshere and place his faith in Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, 205 caps between them.

"If I compare how I feel about the team today compared to 18 months ago, just before the Euros, I personally think we're a long way forward on that.

"There are so many exciting younger talents now. These two games would be a perfect opportunity to prove that and improve the mood.

"People do doubt sometimes and can quote the statistics, that we haven't beaten Ukraine [ a 1-1 draw at home, a goalless away last month ], only drew in Poland . This gives us an opportunity to put that right."

One that Hodgson, insisting "we're not looking for excuses", knows he has to take.

If not, of course, the hounds of Hell will be unleashed.

Asked how he coped with the mental strain, Hodgson replied: "How does anyone stay sane? You've opened up a philosophical debate there!

"It's a big responsibility, taking on the role as manager of an England team. If you don't qualify, you'll get criticism. If you're wise, you realise there'll be criticism during qualifying as well. But that's the nature of the job.

"It's been a great week so far. I've really enjoyed it. The training sessions lift me. The quality of the training sessions give me an enormous lift."

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"We've got to have the balance between attacking, trying to win the game, and maturity and sense," he added. "That's been the message.

"We've got 93 minutes, or whatever it is, and it's important our tempo is high, [that] we don't waste time. We want the ball back in play as quickly as possible, so we get as many attacks as we can get in.

"But we've got to be aware that if we throw people forward willy-nilly and have no thought about what's going on behind us, we can get punished."

This time, though, unlike in Kiev last month, England will not start by playing it long.

That would waste the talents of the returning forward trio of Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge.

Hodgson, though, is correct.

England does expect. England does demand.

He and his players must answer those expectations, meet those demands.

Wembley will not allow anything else.

How England can beat Montenegro

Roo know who Wayne Rooney must be the fulcrum of England's attacking armoury. That means him getting on the ball, turning and playing in Daniel Sturridge or the wide men. If he is starved of service, though, the frustrations could boil over.

Wide and early While Rooney is the key through the middle, Hodgson is going with his two most attacking full-backs, Kyle Walker and Leighton Baines. They have to push Montenegro ever deeper and utilise their prime assets.

(Photo: Steve Bardens - The FA)

Work the referee Spaniard Alberto Undiano Mallenco has a La Liga reputation for cards and free-kicks. With the home crowd behind England, any contact around the Montenegro box can become a set-piece opportunity. And when you have Rooney, Baines, Gerrard and Lampard in your side, that can mean joy.

Hunt the ball down, constantly No team can run at 100 miles per hour for a full game but England have to set the tone from the start, get on the front foot, and never let the Montenegrins settle. On both visits in Podgorica, in 2011 and earlier this year, England threw away dominant positions through caution. It cannot happen again.

England will win Group H if they beat both Montenegro and Poland - and will be certain of at least a play-off spot with victory against Montenegro on Friday. Defeating Montenegro could also be enough - barring an infeasibly heavy home defeat in the final game - if Poland win in Ukraine, also on Friday.

However, a draw with Montenegro and a Ukraine victory over their Euro 2012 co-hosts would leave England requiring three points against the Poles for second place .

Two points or worse from the two games and England would be nailed on to miss out altogether on World Cup 2014.